Cal forward allegedly called ‘terrorist’ by fan before confrontation

The California men’s basketball program has asked officials at the SoCal Challenge holiday tournament to bar a fan who allegedly called senior forward Fardaws Aimaq a ‘terrorist.’

Aimaq was later shown in a video going toward a fan in the stands following the Golden Bears’ 75-72 loss to UTEP on Monday.

Cal coach Mark Madsen said he was ‘disturbed that Fardaws was allegedly on the receiving end of such language,’ but added he didn’t want Aimaq confronting the fan and will be disciplined for doing so.

‘Throughout and after Monday’s game, Fardaws Aimaq was allegedly subjected to abhorrent and offensive comments from a fan − including being called a terrorist,’ Madsen said. ‘I have asked the SoCal Challenge tournament director that a formal investigation be conducted and that this fan be barred from the premises.’

The 24-year-old Aimaq, whose parents are Afghan refugees, is averaging 16 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game for California, and previously played at Texas Tech, Mercer, and was with Madsen at Utah Valley before he took the Cal job.

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‘Event organizers were made aware of the issue by Cal representatives on Wednesday morning,’ tournament organizers said in a statement. ‘Security has been briefed to strictly enforce the policy and an internal investigation is ongoing related to Monday’s events.” 

Aimaq had 23 points and 14 rebounds in Wednesday’s loss to Tulane in the tournament’s third-place game. Cal next plays San Diego State at home on Saturday.